Instructions

ZOOM IN by clicking on the page. A slider will appear, allowing you to adjust your zoom level. Return to the original size by clicking on the page again.

MOVE the page around when zoomed in by dragging it.

ADJUST the zoom using the slider on the top right.

ZOOM OUT by clicking on the zoomed-in page.

SEARCH by entering text in the search field and click on "In This Issue" or "All Issues" to search the current issue or the archive of back issues
respectively.
.

PRINT by clicking on thumbnails to select pages, and then press the
print button.

SHARE this publication and page.

ROTATE PAGE allows you to turn pages 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.Click on the page to return to the original orientation. To zoom in on a rotated page, return the page to its original orientation, zoom in, and
then rotate it again.

CONTENTS displays a table of sections with thumbnails and descriptions.

ALL PAGES displays thumbnails of every page in the issue. Click on
a page to jump.

B12
Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt January 25, 2015
n CONTINUES FROM PAGE B2
The Government has also proposed the increased
availability of CNG refuelling stations and CNG
conversion centres, with a master plan of converting
the Priority Bus Route, a major transportation
artery for public buses and maxi taxis, as a “green
route,” accommodating vehicles using CNG, electric
power, or a combination of electric power and
fossil fuel (hybrid power). The Public Transport
and Service Commission (PTSC) has already started
dispatching CNG buses to the public to initiate
this overhaul.
It should be noted that policy changes for carbon
emission reduction should be accompanied by a
concerted effort from citizens to achieve the same
objective. If we divide the population by the number
of cars on the road, then we have on average one
vehicle for every two persons! Using the good old-
fashioned habits such as carpooling and walking
where possible can contribute to an overall decrease
in emissions by reducing fuel consumption. Besides,
walking is not only beneficial to the environment;
it is great for one’s health as well! Additionally
ensuring your vehicles and in good working con-
dition thus limiting your vehicle emissions is also
another step towards responsibly taking charge of
the CO2 reduction efforts.
These lifestyle changes are a start towards reduc-
ing the levels of harmful emissions in our atmos-
phere, but there are still other factors impacting
on our carbon footprint. Deforestation is occurring
at an uncontrolled rate in our pristine forests, and
trees are valuable vessels for carbon absorption.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) esti-
mates that T&T has 226 000 ha of forest cover,
accounting for 44 per cent of the total surface land
area. Between the period 1990-2010 it is estimated
that forest cover was lost at a rate of 0.31 per cent
or 750 ha per year. This amounts to 6.2 per cent
or 15,000 ha, which is a significant amount for a
nation as small as ours. The Country Profile Report
states that if T&T avoids deforestation alone,
approximately 290 thousand tons in CO2 emissions
can be reduced each year. The Report further states
that “afforestation/reforestation initiatives aiming
to replant 50 per cent of the loss in forest cover
during 1990-2005 (-9,000 ha), would require the
regeneration of 4,500 ha of forest land, which could
generate more than 1.7 million tons CO2 emission
reductions every year.”
This potential to reduce emissions is one of the
driving factors behind the EMA’s National Restora-
tion, Carbon Sequestration, Wildlife and Livelihoods
Project. This project funded by the Green Fund,
involves collaboration between the EMA, UWI and
Community Based Organisations (CBOs) to achieve
the reforestation of 500 hectares of the Nariva
Swamp by March 2017. This programme includes
training for members on Fire Prevention and man-
agement of replanting projects; thus ensuring the
sustainability of this project.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each cit-
izen- whether corporate, private, or policymaker,
to ensure that our environment does not suffer
from our indiscriminate actions. While our country
is richly blessed with oil and gas reserves, we must
condition our habits to ensure the availability of
current resources for future generations. We must
continue to explore and implement opportunities
for cleaner energy sources.
So remember to turn off those unused lights,
consider carpooling, and try replanting trees in
your own space to help our reduce our carbon
emissions.
If you have any comments or would like to
contribute to this column please send us an email
at emacorner@ema.co.tt.
Citizens must
buy in to carbon
reduction